Check your messages on your computer

You can use your computer to chat with your friends through Messages for web, which shows what’s on your Messages mobile app. Messages for web sends SMS messages using a connection from your computer to your phone, so carrier fees will apply, just like on the mobile app.

Note: The QR code for Messages for web is unique to your computer and pairs the mobile app to that computer. You can pair your Messages account on multiple devices, but only one will be active at a time. When you open Messages for web on a computer, your conversations on any other computers or browser tabs will become inactive.

Set up Messages for web

Optional: To sign in to Messages for web automatically next time, check the box "Remember this computer." If you don’t check the box, you can tap More Settings and toggle on Remember this device after you log in.

Using your phone, tap Scan QR code and hold your phone up to the QR code on the web page. When it’s ready, your phone will vibrate.

Note: Your latest conversation threads, contacts, and other settings will be encrypted and cached on your browser. If you don’t use your Messages account for 14 days, you’ll automatically be signed out for security reasons.

See your messages on the web

When you have unread messages, the Messages icon in your browser tab will show a red notification and the number of unread messages.

Tip: You can make Messages for web look darker or use high contrast:

On your computer, tap More Settings.

Turn on Enable dark theme or High contrastmode.

Sign out of Messages for web

Signing out helps keep other people from seeing your messages and sensitive info, like two factor verification codes or personal details.